Does the curve get worse with age?

[sitoutturn]

I am 18 right now with a curve of 47. The doc told me not to wear the brace anymore but I still do. I usually dont get pains just soreness after some hard workouts.

But yeah any old schoolers out there who's curves have not gotten worse over the years ?

[briarrose]

Mine has gotten a lot worse. When I was 16, my curve was 18 degrees and my doctor told me I was done growing and it wouldn't progress. Now I'm 25 and my curve is 47 degrees. I'm having surgery in May. Curves seem to get worse as an adult if they are over 40 degrees, at least that's what I have heard. Good luck!

[sitoutturn]

I guess everyperson is diffrent.

[green m&m]

Mine seems to be progressing still... I'll know more at my follow up in November. It'll be more apparent if there is any progression or if the degree from 2006 was a measuring discrepancy.

[lelc2002@yahoo]

Hi...my curves were 45 & 47 at 18 yrs old. I just had surgery last year at age 46 and my mid curve was 95. I probably wish I had done it several years before but was unaware of help. I was balanced as a teenager & for quite a while after looked fine plus I was very athletic & flexible. The curves just progessed as I aged, had chldren etc. By my late 30's ,early 40's I developed a hump. Lynne

[CHRIS WBS]

For reasons unknown, curve progression after skeletal maturity is more likely in girls than in boys. And as you can see, the majority of forum members here are female. Being a male, you may get lucky and not have further progression, but since your curve is already at 47, you should be closely watched by your doctor.

Good luck,

Chris

[Leelee]

wow this thread is seriously scary haha. I'm 17 with 2 45ish degree curves...my doctor right now really just blows me off...everytime I see him he tells me to come back in a year or two. I wanted a new doctor but I was kinda doubting myself....now I'm definetly getting a new one lol. I'll make my mom call and get an appointment next week!

[sitoutturn]

Yeah I forget to mention that I am a male...and most of the posters are female so their is a diffrence in growth I guess.

[coloradogirl]

Mine has gotten a lot worse, too. I am now in my early 20s and my curves are worse. I can tell because I am in a lot more pain now than I was several months ago.

[nzgirl]

The 'will my curve get worse' question is the one that everyone wants an answer to, but noone can get. My advice, is don't assume that it won't progress, and keep getting regular check ups. That way if the worst happens, you can at least be one step ahead!

[BETall]

Mine has gotten a lot worse, too. I am now in my early 20s and my curves are worse. I can tell because I am in a lot more pain now than I was several months ago.
Can I send you some information via e-mail? You can send me a priate message .

[Mobee211]

Mine has progressed from 18/18 degrees at age 18 to 32/30 at age 26.

[tommyo]

I'm a 55 year old male. My lumbar curve was 28D at 18 years old, it is now 40D and I'm no girl! My primary curve (thoracic)was 46D and it is now 50D, and I now have a 30D cervical curve. My scoli doc said years ago they believed that male curves did not progress, they now know they were wrong.

[txmarinemom]

Actually, empirical data shows a ±50° degree curve (not 40°) will oft times progress in adulthood at ±1° per year.

Not always the case. We're all different.

[ccd]

why does the scoliosis get worse? mine is at 19 degrees and was at 16 degrees a couple of years ago and i am only 34. what would cause it to get worse? i am done growing.its only been 4 years time i am not wearing any braces. can any one help?

[txmarinemom]

why does the scoliosis get worse? mine is at 19 degrees and was at 16 degrees a couple of years ago and i am only 34. what would cause it to get worse? i am done growing.its only been 4 years time i am not wearing any braces. can any one help?

ccd -

While it's possible for a curve to progress in adulthood (some just do, unfortunately), I wouldn't be *too* alarmed by what might or might not actually be progression in a curve that mild.

The Cobb measurement is generally held accurate to ±5°, and it's especially prone to vary if x-rays are measured by different doctors. It's entirely possible your Cobb *was* 19° four years ago, it's 16° today, or somewhere between the two measurements.

My Cobb has bounced around in adulthood (50°, 48°, 53°) - but is considered stable because it's been within the ±5° range since early adulthood.

Also, it's somewhat rare for a 16° curve to start moving at your age. That's not to say it *never* happens, but it's just as likely it hasn't moved - and the Cobb's are suspect.

The only real way to know is have it checked every year and watch for more definite signs of progression.

Best regards,
Pam

[Miki]

I have now 20*/60-65*/38* and I am 19 year old. Do you think should I have a surgery ??

I don't know what to do ..

[txmarinemom]

I have now 20*/60-65*/38* and I am 19 year old. Do you think should I have a surgery ??

I don't know what to do ..

Miki, you really need to discuss that with a qualified surgeon.

60-65° thoracic curves at 19 are most often recommended for surgery due to likelihood for progression - and risk of organ impingement.

What does your doctor say? Obviously, if you know your curve details, someone has read your x-rays (and it sounds like recently).

You're already headed into the category of severe curvature, and while not always (mine hasn't, but I'm right at the ±50° line), *generally* > ±50° curves progress in adulthood at approximately 1° per year. And you're obviously far beyond 50°.

How has the curve progressed thus far? Were you braced, and if so, how long have you been out of it? Did you progress IN a brace?

You really need to find a spinal deformity specialist (although it's not an all-inclusive list of competent doctors, there is one available from the Scoliosis Research Society (http://srs.org/locator/)) and discuss your options.

Regards,
Pam

[Miki]

I had 2 cheneau braces one for day and one for night.
My doctor allowed not wearing brace for day in 08.2005. Night brace I have now and I sleep with it.
My scoliosis :

60*/ 45* march 2001
58*/ 45* december 2003
20*/60-65*/38* october 2005

Between 2001-2005 I was wearind cheneau braces.
In risser scale from photo 2005 I have had 4/5

[txmarinemom]

I'd encourage you to get a second opinion, Miki (and a 3rd, 4th, etc. until you feel you have all the facts pertinent to your situation) ... and (just me, but you asked the question :) I'd suggest consults with SRS physicians.

Again, while there are other competent non-SRS surgeons, these surgeons devote at *least* 20% of their practice to spinal deformities.

60-65° curves are borderline severe at ~any~ age, but certainly at 19.

Best of luck to you regardless which path you choose. Knowledge, by far, is your most powerful weapon ... arm yourself!

Regards,
Pam